Hi all, I’m seeking some advice regarding my shotgun certificate application, as I’m getting conflicting guidance from two police forces.

My situation is as follows:

• My primary and permanent address (for voting, passport, and other official matters) is in the Northumbria Police region.
• I work away from home 5 days a week in the Warwickshire Police region, where my GP is located.
• I intend to securely store the shotgun at a club in Warwickshire.

I initially contacted the Northumbria Firearms Licensing Team, and they advised me to apply through Warwickshire Police, as I spend the majority of my time there and the shotgun will be stored in Warwickshire.

However, when I contacted Warwickshire Firearms Licensing, they told me that the certificate should follow where I "predominantly reside", which they interpret as my primary address in Northumbria, and that I need to apply through Northumbria Police.

Now I’m stuck in a loop, with both forces pointing me to the other, and I don’t know how to proceed.

Has anyone else dealt with a similar situation? Which force is correct here, and how should I approach this to ensure my application is submitted to the right department? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

So you’ve put in your application with your FEO and they ask “What’s your good reason for getting this?” What do you say?

Seeing as it's a new year I thought this would be an interesting conversation to have! What guns are you planning on picking up in 2025?

My list is:

1. Swiss Luger in 7.65 suitable for S7.1
2. Marlin 1895 Dark in .45/70 (the new Ruger made ones)
3. Norwegian Krag in 6.5x55
4. Something fun in .300blk, I was thinking a CZ Trail but the new Henry Supreme looks very interesting

So basically, I have a 114cm long, hammerli blackforce 400 combo air rifle, 177. Caliber, and don’t get me wrong, it’s a great gun, but it’s so damn long, and as I’m a pretty anxious person, I rather not travel with it in public in a standard gun bag, or case, because I keep panicking that I’ll be accosted by police or nosy Karen’s looking to harass me over it, and even if I’m not doing anything dodgy, I still am convinced I’ll be accused of doing or going somewhere dodgy with it, so basically, I’d just like to put my mind at ease and make life a lot easier by finding an air rifle bag that’s 114cm+ , maybe 100cm+ if 114cm isn’t doable. Cause right now I have had absolutely no luck and I’ve been searching for what feels like forever. The type of bag I’m looking for is, again 114cm deep, black, brown or khaki,molle system/webbing, tactical/military style, accommodations for attachments such as sleeping bags, tent bags, mats etc and trek poles etc, and I’d preferably like it to have a drawstring main opening so if it is too shallow for the gun, then at least I can leave the top open so the gun can be hidden more even if it’s sticking out (does that make sense) so yeah, basically if anyone can find me a bag with these extremely specific things then you would be an absolute f***ng LEGEND!

And yes, I know I’m probably asking for a lot, but I have seen bags pushing it to 100cm and I have a feeling it’s a possibility, I swear I’ve seen glimpses of such bags but they’re £200+ and I need something more affordable.

If it matters, I am currently using a black, 90cm deep rucksack and there’s about 24cm of rifle sticking out at the top, so right now what I do is I cover the exposed part of the rifle with a black drawstring 120cm long bag, and it’s wide enough to not show the outline of the gun (unlike a gun sock) so it works pretty good for the time being, but I’d feel much better if I was able to fully close (and lock) my bag, and not have my precious and expensive gun exposed (kind of).

So yeah, if anyone could please, please help me find the perfect rucksack, I would be very much appreciative of it.

Hi I am looking at getting a shotgun license for the sole purpose of going clay pigeon shooting with my dad, I will never own a gun and at max I’ll own some ammo for clay pigeon shooting.

Will I need a gun locker or anything?

Anyone know if its possible to swap a semi-auto for a side by side/over under in terms of a one on one off type scenario, or would you need to apply for a variation due to it being a different type of action

Hopefully picking up a new Moderated .410 next week.

Doesn’t anyone have any recommendations for a quiet cartridge? Will mainly be used for squirrels and rats.

Cheers

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know if the upcoming Amnesty is for all blank firing guns full stop, all top venting blank guns, or just the 4 Turkish branded guns?

Anyone have any info on this?

Thanks

I’m looking at getting a Ruger Precision chambered in .300 PRC.

Has anyone here had any experience with either?

I spotted there is one in Warrington. However it will cost me an hour to go there. Is there any air pistol ground for entry level and has a good vibe? Thank you everyone who may know

I’ve seen on Fieldsportsnews’ YouTube channel talk of a price hike for certificates which will end with grants costing £400. Does anyone know the specifics and is it just grants or are prices for all firearms licensing services going up?

Last time I checked (admittedly when I started about 5 years ago) grants were somewhere in the region of £50 or £60 so an increase of ~700% seems extreme.

I have just started looking into deactivated firearms and other sources, I have heard allot about them and seen the very high prices (and people talking about the good old days when they where cheaper) I'm wondering if anyone can guide me to good sites and if there are any firearms that are renown for being cheaper

Bought a beretta silver pigeon a few months ago, in a shared cabinet with my dad. He has an old rusty gun that is rarely used and never cleaned. Had no option but to put my gun in his cabinet and put some Napier vp90 in, haven’t used gun, got out today to check and mould growing on wood which has wiped off and top of barrel has some rust marks on it, barrels had a lot of moisture on sides to point they were dripping when wiped, any advice on how to remove rust if it can be removed and what to prevent it getting worse? I’m a first time gun owner so inexperienced.

Bought myself what I thought was a nice second hand 10/22 last week from a dealer but unfortunately it’s having FTF issues that I’m not able to fix so I’m going to have to return it. My understanding is that once it’s been returned and transferred back to the dealer I’ll lose that .22RF rifle slot. Is it worth me contacting my FLO and asking if I can retain that slot given the circumstances? If not will I just have to spend the £20 and wait a few weeks for the “new” slot? Thanks!

Hope you're all well! I have a quick query about applying with Thames Valley Police for those of you that have done it before.

I've seen in several places that it's around 6 months at the moment, so not expecting anything for a few months yet. I applied mid-November, and got the 'we've got your app' text through.

Today, I got another text to say that my app has been referred to an FEO, who will 'make contact with you in due course to progress your enquiry'. Just so I don't get my hopes up, does this just mean it's joined a specific persons workpile at the bottom? Or do you get that message shortly before hearing from someone about an interview?

Thanks so much, and happy holidays to those of you who celebrate.

from a trying-not-to-be-too-hopeful-but-quietly-holding-my-breath newbie to the sport :)

I've heard that being a member of a shooting club is crucial to getting a section 1 certificate but there's not any clubs near me to my knowledge, thanks 🙏🏻

Evening all, I'm in need of a new 5 gun cabinet but ideally I'd like it to be left hinged (left hand side as you look at the front).

I've not had any luck finding one, does anyone know where I can get one?

Hi guys,

In the market for a new pair of wellies and just wanted to hear your opinions on the pairs to buy or avoid.

Tia

Hi, i’m 17 (will apply when im 18) in England. Where we live the landowner allows us to hold off road motorcycle races a few times a year. We have issues with deer and hares running out infront of competitors (sometimes ending in crashes) and we are now looking at getting a FAC in order to control the wildlife around us.

Is there any advice on the best way about this? No previous criminal history or health issues (including mental).

Thanks

Hello, having a hard time finding any shops that have AI in stock in Scotland. Getting my license soon (hopefully) and want to know how AI rifles feel and what the fuss is all about.

Any info would be appreciated!

Anyone know a good place to buy bayonets online? Repro's or authentic, Looking for a zouve/contract rifle bayonet and don't want to get one from America and risk customs etc so must be uk based

Hello all, I’ve been an avid young shooter from 10-11 years old and now 19 years old. I live in London now as a student for 2 years now and plan to stay for a further 2 years to finish my studies. I’m part of my university rifle club and are extremely active in it; though still a probationary member for the remainder of the academic year.

My plan was to finish university and get my own house, not just a student accommodation, so I can install my safe to the wall and get my coterminate FAC. However, my grandfather who actually got me into shooting had contracted cancer. Therefore, it’s been implied that I would be the one to inherit the shotguns he has*. As a result, my own father has asked that I should apply for my own shotgun certificate now since there’s less of a “need” barrier than with the FAC. The catch is the safe would be at my parents house (without their access to it of course), which I’m only at for summer, Christmas and parts of Easter.

So, do I wait for 3 years to apply for the full coterminate FAC and have the safe at my own place. On the other hand, have a safe at my parents which can hold shotguns and have that within the 2025 years (god willing with licensing times).

Are there barriers regarding safes in homes you’re not primarily in? Do I have to be in that home for a certain amount of time to qualify? Is it worth this hassle when I can wait 3 years to have my own coterminate FAC? (since my grandfather actually has recovered remarkably well).

Many thanks.

*As I understand you can’t actually inherit any gun but instead you have to transfer ownership before death.

Turns out the bore tech bottles fit almost perfectly!